about chantel
Chantel Akworkor Attakakra Thompson is an independent curator, educator, and social justice advocate committed to fostering belonging and amplifying creativity. Drawing on rich experiences from her travels across Africa, the South Pacific, and beyond, she curates transformative experiences that celebrate art as a portal to undiscovered ideas and a catalyst for cross-cultural exchange. Her work often centres on African and Caribbean cultures while embracing the beauty of diverse global influences.
During her tenure as the Interim Director of La Foundation for the Arts in Accra, Chantel advanced the visions of emerging and underrecognized creatives in Ghana, forging meaningful connections with the wider African diaspora. This work gained her recognition by many key player within the African cultural space including Art Africa who commended her for ‘Nurturing Ghana’s Creative Future’ and The Business Executive , who awarded her The Ghana Philantrophy Awards for Excellence in Cultural Heritage and Development.
She has curated exhibitions and experiential moments in Accra, New York, London, and Paris, collaborating with notable artists like Amoako Boafo, Jude Lartey, Adjei Tawiah, and Aplerh-Doku Borlabi, and been a panelist for African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA), Opera Gallery and Holburne Museum. Her contributions to publications such as Boom Saloon, Made in Bed, Livro Zéh Palito, and Sounds of Blackness further establish her as a thought leader in contemporary African art.
Chantel’s work extends to education and advocacy and she developed The World Reimagined’s (the UK’s largest national art project for racial justice) art-based curriculum, implemented in over 250 schools as well as supporting their fundraising efforts in her role as partnerships officer being an integral member of the team that raised over £3 million.
In partnership with The World Reimagined, The What If Experiment and The Cherry Groce Foundation, she has supported organisations to develop an anti-racist practice.
As a mentor and consultant, she empowers creatives to embrace their unique voices and expand the canon of Black creativity. Her dedication to nurturing talent and growth in creatives stems from her previous work within education supporting children, teachers, and organizations in the UK, Ghana, Uganda, and Vanuatu, where she has championed equitable opportunities for learning and self-expression.
Ultimately, Chantel believes in the power of authentic storytelling and creative collaboration to foster understanding and inspire change. Her work serves as a bridge, connecting vibrant creatives—artists, chefs, musicians, and poets—with audiences worldwide, and creating unforgettable experiences that honour tradition while reimagining the future.